I do not use the phrase "Indo-Tibetan." I'm not sure what should be implied by that name. It is my opinion that many or most zi beads were made in India—and that some of these beads, such as those you show, have a much wider range of occurrence throughout Asia. (Well beyond India, but probably exported to these places from India.)

I am not aware of any Tibetan (nor Indian) names for these specific beads. Some people refer to them as "chung" (or "chong") beads. I limit that name to certain beads, such as the carnelian zi you show, that you also call a chung zi.

Attached is Plate III from my 2002 article on zi beads, showing the beads we are discussing (as well as others). I refer to these as striped or banded zi beads (when they are derived from Tibet or the Himalayas). This particular photo is harvested from my FaceBook page, when I was discussing zi beads a few years ago.

JDA.

Hello again

As I have said I am learning quickly the proper nomenclature to use.

Very nice plates and references.

again thanks from Walter

Hello Walter! We were both collecting these beads in Kathmandu circa 1985 so it is really interesting to see this review and the beads you found. It would have been interesting to meet back then to compare notes. It is also nice to see you have treasured them for so long. I am still active in Nepal and occasionally still see examples these beads now but they are not common and of course more expensive. We are around the same age so how these beads move into the next hands to hold them is a curious conundrum? The individuals who contributed the beads in Jamey’s article also deserve a nod, I know at least some from his photos including my own are still held with great reverence.

Ancient agates possess magic, they say! I'm happy to see discussion about these, and happy to see Jamey, Bob, here again, and welcome, Walter. Its great to see someone new to the site, and with good images of iconic agate beads. A favorite bead material of many! Thanks to all of you for posting. :)

Hello to the group

I will be posting a few more of my beads in the coming days. I am enjoying sharing my beads as they have been put away for too long.

And I am also learning so much information about them as well.

I still have many more questions about them I will post along with the beads.

Thanks for the comments, they are appreciated.

sincerely from Walter Anderson

Hello Bob, Jamey and the group

Here is my small group of beads we purchased in Katmandu 1985. I want to share the pictures with the group as I feel they should be shared with all people who are interested in them. This is the first time they have been shared as a group.

I would also encourage others who have beads put away to post their pictures so others may also enjoy the beauty and rarity of these special beads.

Please everybody enjoy my beads and share your thoughts about the beads

sincerely from Walter Anderson

Walter, that is a fabulous group of beads to put together even back in 1985!
I don’t recall ever seeing that many at any one time? How long did it take to find them and were they from one source or various dealers? Did you collect beads previous to assembling this group? Just curious if you have a back story and what possessed you to buy them without knowing much about them? It would be interesting to hear your story Walter and I’m sure more folks here would appreciate it too!

Lovely group of very desirable beads! Thanks again for sharing them. ❤️

Hello Bob and the group

We were only in Katmandu 10 days. Visiting friends, I remember it was Buddha's birthday and my wife and I went out with a Russian jeep w driver and delivered 2 1/2 tons dahl and 2 1/2 tons of rice to 3 of the monastaries around the valley in 1985. what a great day.

So later we went shopping in Durbar square, and I have been collecting antiques since the late 1960's. So I wanted to go look in the antique stores around the square and found the beads in 3 shops. Was told the majority came from a road works project ( excavation )?? Then outside the shops were people selling minlerals on the square on a blanket or such and I bought several small smoky quartz qwindels.

Then I asked my friends in Katmandu to look for more only to find a few, then no more.

After Katmandu we went to Delhi Red Fort and I got some great Pumtek double strand necklaces and 4 Mizoram carnelian necklaces that have never been broken and they just glow. The Pumteks are ancient and not antique.

Next I will try to post my carnelian beads for all to enjoy.

Hello Bob and the group

Back in 1985 the beads were very very reasonable. Most of them were about maybe $20 each

One of my favorites is the long white bead. Wow it is special all on its own merits.

Here are the Mizoram beads for all to enjoy. I have other carnelians with designs and some tubes.

Carnelian beads are right up there with my favorites.

Now are the Mizoram beads coming from India or Burma??

as you see the strings are worn out can someone please tell me a age approx??

Many thanks in advance
enjoy the picture from
Walter Anderson

Dear Robert,

As you know, for my Zi article, all of the people who loaned me beads for photography are GRATEFULLY acknowledged in the Acknowledgements paragraph at the close of the article—which is and has always been my standard practice.

On the other hand I did not report the names of owners of specific beads—because many people did not/do not want this information revealed. And I wholly accept and understand this.

I suppose anyone giving a casual look at my photos might draw the erroneous conclusion that these are "my beads"—but I am quick to dispel these ideas. These are merely my photographs.

In every instance when I have received inquiries about "my beads," I routinely reply that these specimens came from multiple private collections, including mine. And that, since the article was written in 2002, some of these beads have changed hands, and are probably not for sale anyway; or have been sold already.

I am sorry you do not feel you have been properly given "a deserved nod" (since you have brought this up a number of times here). No one else has expressed similar feelings.

Allow me to say I was extremely gratified that you and several others were kind enough to allow me access to your/their collections. The article would be practically meaningless without them. And I expressed this to you, in no uncertain terms, on the day you brought them to me. In fact, your beads provided specimens that are not only truly beautiful—they are virtually one-of-a-kind and were essential for making certain points.

I would like to compose a new article about the chemistry of decorated stone beads. You own one of the very few beads from a Himalayan context, that would illustrate a specific point I want to cover. And I would be expressly grateful if you would allow me to use it again.

Jamey